Washington Post: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Opens Secret Communication Channels with the U.S.

ARK News.. The Washington Post reported that figures from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have begun opening parallel communication channels with United States, in a move reflecting escalating internal competition for influence and preparations for a new political phase inside Iran.

The newspaper stated on Monday, April 13, 2026, that “these moves come in the context of competing with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibav, who emerged during the Islamabad negotiations as one of the most prominent figures capable of negotiating with the West, despite the failure of talks between Tehran and Washington.”

Quoting columnist David Ignatius, the report said that “Ghalibav, in his capacity as head of the Iranian delegation, left a strong impression on the American side as a professional and organized negotiator, and even as a potential candidate to lead Iran in a future stage.”

The report indicated that the round of talks revealed not only the complexities of the relationship between the United States and Iran, but also exposed shifts within the structure of the Iranian system, as multiple factions within the Revolutionary Guard seek to secure positions in any future political arrangements, reflecting internal movement to reshape the balance of power.

In the same context, the report explained that the deadlock reached in the Islamabad talks does not necessarily mean a move toward direct war, as economic pressure continues to be used as a primary tool without military escalation.

The newspaper added that Donald Trump does not show a desire to engage in a new armed conflict, given the major and unpredictable risks that any military escalation may entail.

According to the report, the U.S. administration is moving toward intensifying economic pressure by placing Iran in an “economic squeeze,” aimed at pushing it to change its behavior through reaching a comprehensive deal.

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